Looking for a fearless cat.......
Discussion
Ok, I'll admit it right off, we have a rat problem. 
I'm sorry, I've been in denial, but there it is.
I (and the family) live in an old converted farm barn. Have a few neighbours, and lots of outbuildings, and I guess with no natural predators, the rats have become a bit of a worry. I found 2 small ones, live and healthy in the bin the other day.
Even worse, after laying poison down, we found a bloody monster on the lawn. Honestly it was the size of a small pony. I couldn't lift it with a shovel, and needed a JCB to cart it away.
So, the solution in my mind is to get a cat. A fearless wild hungry cat, with a large appetite for rats. In fact 3 or 4 of the same would I think be fine.
I was thinking to allow them to roam free, and feed them in a particular place and time every day, or maybe less (so they stay hungry). Sounds a bit savage, but that's what I want the cats to be - I don't want 'pet' cats. I want essentially stray cats who live here.
So,
1) Any issues about getting them to 'home' here?
2) What age should they be?
3) Anyone got some?
4) SE Wales, near Usk, and would be willing to collect (not sure how mind).
You may have guessed, I'm not really a cat person, but needs must I suspect.
Many Thanks
I'm sorry, I've been in denial, but there it is.I (and the family) live in an old converted farm barn. Have a few neighbours, and lots of outbuildings, and I guess with no natural predators, the rats have become a bit of a worry. I found 2 small ones, live and healthy in the bin the other day.
Even worse, after laying poison down, we found a bloody monster on the lawn. Honestly it was the size of a small pony. I couldn't lift it with a shovel, and needed a JCB to cart it away.
So, the solution in my mind is to get a cat. A fearless wild hungry cat, with a large appetite for rats. In fact 3 or 4 of the same would I think be fine.
I was thinking to allow them to roam free, and feed them in a particular place and time every day, or maybe less (so they stay hungry). Sounds a bit savage, but that's what I want the cats to be - I don't want 'pet' cats. I want essentially stray cats who live here.
So,
1) Any issues about getting them to 'home' here?
2) What age should they be?
3) Anyone got some?
4) SE Wales, near Usk, and would be willing to collect (not sure how mind).
You may have guessed, I'm not really a cat person, but needs must I suspect.
Many Thanks
What you need is a semi feral cat. Try asking at the local cat home as some are unsuitable as cuddly pets but may fit the bill. Sometimes (our local one does) will allow the cats to goto a farm for this exact reason.
Or try asking round some farms. They may have some to give away (if they can catch them!).
Or try asking round some farms. They may have some to give away (if they can catch them!).
http://www.catchat.org/topcats/index.php?module=pa...
Or ask your local vet; I'm sure ours has a notice up asking for homes for farm cats.
Or ask your local vet; I'm sure ours has a notice up asking for homes for farm cats.
Edited by moorx on Sunday 9th August 21:06
My sister and her ex husband got two semi feral & one feral cat for this sort of purpose. They lived in deepest darkest Kent (aka try ham) & had a small girls, stables & A feed barn. Izzy, Morgana & Guinevere settled in really well but Guinevere went missing once & never returned. Izzy & Mo flourished & my sister and her ex also fed them occasionally which only served to make them moderately domesticated (the cats that is)
The rescue centre couldn't believe their luck when my sister rolled up & asked for their feral cats because no one wants them!
Izzy & Mo were prolific hunters and they didn't stop at the rodents. Many a time the ex had to finish off some horrifically mutiliated but still alive rabbit etc
The rescue centre couldn't believe their luck when my sister rolled up & asked for their feral cats because no one wants them!
Izzy & Mo were prolific hunters and they didn't stop at the rodents. Many a time the ex had to finish off some horrifically mutiliated but still alive rabbit etc
i will post this again as people get confused, a feral cat, undomesticated cat may or not fair against rats, who are are very aggressive, a barn or farm cat, this is their bread and butter kills, but they are not 'petting' cats.
For a rat problem would get an expert in to kill the nest, you don't want to end up with a dead or blind cat thru incorrect advise.
For a rat problem would get an expert in to kill the nest, you don't want to end up with a dead or blind cat thru incorrect advise.
Thanks for the replies.
I checked the local cat sanctuary web site, and they are actually saying they have many semi feral cats looking for a home on a farm / rural area. (Tick).
I wasn't looking for a 'breed' I think a mixed race will be cheaper and tougher (healthier), and due to my skimping nature, would not feel comfortable paying more than a few quid for a cat. (If that)
Many Thanks for the suggestions. I have a quiet day tomorrow, so I shall make further enquiries at said cats home.
If I knew how to add photo's I'd put them up.
I suspect our very sweet natured lab is in for a bit of a shock......
BTW what's the best (cheep) way to feed them? I don't have a glamorous enough life style to feed them a TV diet.
Quite looking forward to selecting the 3 most evil cats in the sanctuary ....
I checked the local cat sanctuary web site, and they are actually saying they have many semi feral cats looking for a home on a farm / rural area. (Tick).
I wasn't looking for a 'breed' I think a mixed race will be cheaper and tougher (healthier), and due to my skimping nature, would not feel comfortable paying more than a few quid for a cat. (If that)
Many Thanks for the suggestions. I have a quiet day tomorrow, so I shall make further enquiries at said cats home.
If I knew how to add photo's I'd put them up.
I suspect our very sweet natured lab is in for a bit of a shock......
BTW what's the best (cheep) way to feed them? I don't have a glamorous enough life style to feed them a TV diet.
Quite looking forward to selecting the 3 most evil cats in the sanctuary ....
bearman68 said:
If I knew how to add photo's I'd put them up.
Here you goAnd don't forget to remove the poison once you get the cats.
Edited by Morningside on Monday 10th August 00:27
Well, I had the shock of my life today.
As suggested (thanks all), I phoned the local RSPCA cats home.
Me: I wonder if you have 2 or 3 semi feral cats, I live on a farm, and need a strong aggressive animal.
Her: Do you want any colour? / breed / age / sex / hair length / eye colour / size / length of tail / ear size etc etc (OK I may have made some of these up)
Me No : No NO: NO: NO: NO: ............ etc.
Her: Well, I could ask someone to call back in 72 Hours.
Me OK.
Her: and then we will ask the rehome people to come out and inspect your premises to see if you are a suitable person to own cats.
Me: thinks, funny no-one asked us that when we had the kids.... OK.
Her: We have some reservations that the cats will not mix with the children / dog / other cats, flowers, not like the look of the lawn or something. And has anyone explained the costs.
Me No.
Her: For a basic stray, we charge £50, neutered, and chipped, and I'm afraid we don't offer any multi buy discounts.
Me: Cough, splutter, sharp gasp for life giving air.
Is it me or the RSPCA that has missed the point? I understand I must not to be cruel to them, must feed them, and give them a nice shed to sleep in if they chose. But they are wildish animals, and their alternative is going to be pretty dodgy. Kept for a month, and then put down (? Is this still the case) rather than a fighting chance in a rural environment. I'm sure there will be (cat) casualties, but that's always going to be an inevitable risk of a wild life, and exactly what cats have always been breed for / expected / maybe even preferred (?)
So, a bit gobsmacked after this conversation to be honest, and I don't hold out too much hope. Certainly £50 a cat is a deal breaker. I don't want the cat chipped or neutered, and ironically, surely this is actually depriving stray cats of a perfectly good, though slightly wild, home. Just seems so counter productive, and somehow politically correct.
Grrrr.
Going to try the vets next, you never know.......
As suggested (thanks all), I phoned the local RSPCA cats home.
Me: I wonder if you have 2 or 3 semi feral cats, I live on a farm, and need a strong aggressive animal.
Her: Do you want any colour? / breed / age / sex / hair length / eye colour / size / length of tail / ear size etc etc (OK I may have made some of these up)
Me No : No NO: NO: NO: NO: ............ etc.
Her: Well, I could ask someone to call back in 72 Hours.
Me OK.
Her: and then we will ask the rehome people to come out and inspect your premises to see if you are a suitable person to own cats.
Me: thinks, funny no-one asked us that when we had the kids.... OK.
Her: We have some reservations that the cats will not mix with the children / dog / other cats, flowers, not like the look of the lawn or something. And has anyone explained the costs.
Me No.
Her: For a basic stray, we charge £50, neutered, and chipped, and I'm afraid we don't offer any multi buy discounts.
Me: Cough, splutter, sharp gasp for life giving air.
Is it me or the RSPCA that has missed the point? I understand I must not to be cruel to them, must feed them, and give them a nice shed to sleep in if they chose. But they are wildish animals, and their alternative is going to be pretty dodgy. Kept for a month, and then put down (? Is this still the case) rather than a fighting chance in a rural environment. I'm sure there will be (cat) casualties, but that's always going to be an inevitable risk of a wild life, and exactly what cats have always been breed for / expected / maybe even preferred (?)
So, a bit gobsmacked after this conversation to be honest, and I don't hold out too much hope. Certainly £50 a cat is a deal breaker. I don't want the cat chipped or neutered, and ironically, surely this is actually depriving stray cats of a perfectly good, though slightly wild, home. Just seems so counter productive, and somehow politically correct.
Grrrr.
Going to try the vets next, you never know.......
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